What rake and trail for a 21" wheel?
My buddy has a 2011 street glide with a 21" wheel. I think rake is stock and it sucks. When you have any lean going slow the bike wants to fall to full lock. It's almost unrideable for me an experienced rider. It's his first bike.
I'm looking for the best option to get the geometry set up in his front end for cheap. I can weld, but to weld on my friends frame after hacking it, with no jigs, would make me extremely uncomfortable.
So for you big wheelers, what setup did you put on your front end to keep the geometry right?
I'm looking for the best option to get the geometry set up in his front end for cheap. I can weld, but to weld on my friends frame after hacking it, with no jigs, would make me extremely uncomfortable.
So for you big wheelers, what setup did you put on your front end to keep the geometry right?
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Thanks kainam. That's a good link for answering my question.
So with his trail coming out at over 6.7 would making his rake a little less and/or shortening his leg length (cutting springs) help or hurt his handling?
This is the very first time I've ever even thought of diving into a big wheel bagger, so everything I need to know I've gotta learn yet.
Thanks,
Forty
Yes, reducing rake will also reduce trail, which is what you want.
Somewhere in the neighborhood of 4" trail is what you want.
He has almost double that!
With that being his first bike, I'd say put it back to stock!
Somewhere in the neighborhood of 4" trail is what you want.
He has almost double that!
With that being his first bike, I'd say put it back to stock!
I have a buddy that bought a 13 street glide and before he took delivery. He put a 21 on it... Never rode it stock... He was amazed the other day when he three the stick wheel back on... He is still talking about how it rides now... I don't think the 21 is going back on...
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Yes, reducing rake will also reduce trail, which is what you want.
Somewhere in the neighborhood of 4" trail is what you want.
He has almost double that!
With that being his first bike, I'd say put it back to stock!
That is a good idea. I have my stock front wheel for my 08 that I could slap on it for a few months until he gets comfortable on it. Then we could figure out what we will do with his trail issue this winter.
If I'm lucky he will like it so much with the stock wheel he will just give me his 21" and I'll put it on mine! :laugh
IMO. The larger diameter wheel will change the fork fall away. Do the fall away test and adjust the neck bearings accordingly.
Sell the 21" wheel. It's just not worth cutting the frame without the experience of doing so.
I'm thinking about kainam's link. They kept bashing the replacement triple trees. That's more for raking bikes out right?
To rake it back in I should be able to get the new trees and be done right? It'll raise the front end up a little so I will just cut the springs in the tubes to make up for it.
Tell me if I'm wrong.
To rake it back in I should be able to get the new trees and be done right? It'll raise the front end up a little so I will just cut the springs in the tubes to make up for it.
Tell me if I'm wrong.
I'm not seeing what cutting the springs will accomplish. The fork lowers will still have the same amount of travel on the fork tubes and the shortened springs will rattle in the tubes.
I would try adjusting the neck bearing tension before cutting things up.
I would try adjusting the neck bearing tension before cutting things up.
I will definitely check fall away first.
I always thought the springs established the ride height. I'm just trying to get him back to stock height.
I always thought the springs established the ride height. I'm just trying to get him back to stock height.
I'm not for sure why you have a problem or why you call a 21" wheel a big wheel. after research and talking to a lot of people, I just changed from my original 18" front wheel to a 21". Only difference I feel is that it stands a little taller in the front (don't see as well over with wind screen at times). Now I will say that I haven't put it to much of a test. Only had it on for maybe 300 miles home. But like I said, I don't see much difference and all I've researched said you didn't have to make any adjustments going to a 21" wheel. Now 23" and above, modifications are necessary. And by the way, this new front wheel looks so much better than that stock wheel.
I'm not for sure why you have a problem or why you call a 21" wheel a big wheel. after research and talking to a lot of people, I just changed from my original 18" front wheel to a 21". Only difference I feel is that it stands a little taller in the front (don't see as well over with wind screen at times). Now I will say that I haven't put it to much of a test. Only had it on for maybe 300 miles home. But like I said, I don't see much difference and all I've researched said you didn't have to make any adjustments going to a 21" wheel. Now 23" and above, modifications are necessary. And by the way, this new front wheel looks so much better than that stock wheel.
I agree! I never rode my bike with the stock wheel on it! I trailered it home from dealer and placed a 21/18 and the bike ride great!!! I love to hit the turns and I've had no issues scraping my extended bag steel guards under the bags!!!
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